How many Gorilla Families are tracked in Uganda. There’s something quietly electrifying about the idea of meeting a mountain gorilla in the wild—the slow, powerful grace of a silverback, the soft curiosity of an infant, and the dense green cathedral of Bwindi or Mgahinga surrounding them. If you’re planning a gorilla trek in Uganda, you’ll likely want to know exactly how many gorilla families are tracked and what that number actually means.

The short answer: Uganda has many habituated gorilla families that are tracked daily, but the exact number varies depending on how you count and which park you visit. Let’s explore the details behind these numbers and what they mean for you as a traveler.

Two Different Questions—Two Different Answers

When people ask, “How many gorilla families are tracked in Uganda?” they may be referring to one of several things:

1. How many gorilla social groups (families) exist overall in the Bwindi–Mgahinga landscape, including groups that are not habituated to humans.

2. How many gorilla groups have been habituated and can be visited by tourists (or are currently in the habituation process).

3. How many gorilla groups are actively available for daily trekking—that is, those open for visitor permits at the time of your trip.

All three are valid, but they yield different numbers.

Total Gorilla Families Versus Tourist-Available Groups

Conservation organizations and park authorities track total mountain gorilla numbers and their social groups across the transboundary Virunga–Bwindi region shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scientific surveys and censuses estimate the total population, including both habituated and wild groups.

However, only habituated groups are accessible for tourism. Habituation is a slow, delicate process through which gorillas gradually become accustomed to human presence under the close supervision of experienced researchers and rangers. It can take years before a group is ready for tourists. These are the families that trekkers actually visit.

What Uganda Wildlife Authority Says

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is the official body managing Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. According to their information, dozens of gorilla families have been habituated in Uganda, and new families occasionally join the list as older ones split or relocate.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone protects nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making Uganda one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking. The park is divided into different tracking sectors—Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija—each hosting several habituated gorilla families.

Commonly Reported Numbers

Most tour operators and conservation groups generally report that:

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 19 to 21 habituated gorilla families available for daily tracking.

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has 1 habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi, which is the only one trekked in that park.

Therefore, Uganda currently has around 20 to 22 gorilla families that tourists can track on a daily basis.

It’s important to note that these numbers may change over time. Gorilla families sometimes split due to dominant silverbacks leaving with a few members to form a new group, or families may temporarily close for health or safety reasons.

Why Numbers Change

Gorillas, like humans, live in dynamic societies. Group structures shift, new silverbacks emerge, and territories change. Rangers constantly monitor these groups, and Uganda Wildlife Authority may add or remove a group from the trekking list depending on circumstances such as:

• Health issues among the gorillas

• Birth of new infants that need less disturbance

• Migration of families into new territories

• Ongoing habituation for newly formed groups

Because of this, you’ll see slightly different numbers across websites or travel brochures, but the variation reflects a healthy, growing gorilla population.

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the heart of Uganda’s gorilla tracking experience. It is divided into four major sectors, each offering a unique trekking experience:

1. Buhoma Sector

This is the oldest and most popular tracking region, located in the northern part of Bwindi. The Mubare family, the first group to be habituated in Uganda in 1993, resides here. Other notable groups include Rushegura and Habinyanja. Treks here are relatively easier, and accommodation facilities are well developed.

2. Ruhija Sector

Found in the eastern part of Bwindi, Ruhija is known for its stunning views and a cooler climate. Gorilla families here include Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Kyaguliro. Ruhija is a great spot for birdwatchers as it is also rich in forest bird species.

3. Rushaga Sector

Located in the southern part of the park, Rushaga has the highest number of habituated families, such as Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, and Kahungye. It’s also where gorilla habituation experiences take place, giving visitors a chance to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family in the final stages of habituation.

4. Nkuringo Sector

This sector offers one of the toughest but most rewarding treks due to steep terrain. The Nkuringo family was the first group habituated here and is known for its playful young gorillas. The sector offers incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes and is perfect for adventurous trekkers.

Each sector provides a unique blend of terrain, vegetation, and gorilla interactions, ensuring that no two experiences are the same.

Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is smaller but equally beautiful. It’s part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, shared with Rwanda and Congo.

The park has one habituated family known as Nyakagezi, which is unique because it has multiple silverbacks living together peacefully—a rare behavior among mountain gorillas. Tracking in Mgahinga also offers breathtaking views of the volcanic mountains and opportunities to see golden monkeys.

How Gorilla Tracking Works

Each day, a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit each gorilla family. Only eight tourists can visit a particular family per day, ensuring minimal disturbance to the gorillas.

The day begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Visitors are divided into groups based on the gorilla families they’ll track. Trained guides and armed rangers lead the groups through dense forest paths, using clues such as nests, dung, and fresh tracks to locate the gorillas.

The trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on where the family is located. Once found, visitors are allowed to spend one hour observing and photographing the gorillas—a truly unforgettable experience.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience

Besides the standard trek, Uganda offers a unique Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector. This activity allows tourists to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family that is still getting used to human presence. It’s limited to only four visitors per day and provides a deeper, more intimate experience with the gorillas and the researchers.

Conservation Significance

Mountain gorilla trekking is not just a tourist activity—it’s a vital conservation tool. The permit fees collected go directly toward conservation programs, anti-poaching patrols, ranger welfare, and community development.

Local communities living around Bwindi and Mgahinga benefit through employment, tourism businesses, and revenue-sharing programs. This has helped reduce human-wildlife conflict and encouraged locals to protect the gorillas and their habitat.

Thanks to these conservation efforts, mountain gorilla numbers have steadily increased, and the species has been reclassified from “Critically Endangered” to “Endangered.”

How to Get a Gorilla Permit in Uganda

Uganda Wildlife Authority is the official body that issues gorilla permits. Each permit allows one visitor to track a specific gorilla family on a given date. As of now, a standard gorilla tracking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per person, while the gorilla habituation experience costs USD 1,500 per person.

Permits should be booked several months in advance, especially during the high seasons of June to September and December to February, when demand is very high.

Why Choose Uganda for Gorilla Tracking

• Largest population: Uganda hosts nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

• Variety of experiences: You can choose between standard tracking and the habituation experience.

• Scenic diversity: The forest landscapes of Bwindi and Mgahinga are among the most stunning ecosystems in Africa.

• Affordability: Uganda’s permits are more affordable compared to Rwanda, yet the experience is equally magical.

• Cultural encounters: Visitors can combine gorilla trekking with visits to local communities like the Batwa pygmies, adding cultural depth to the adventure.

So, how many gorilla families are tracked in Uganda?

Uganda currently has around 20 to 22 habituated gorilla families—approximately 19 to 21 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga—that are available for tracking by tourists. The exact number changes slightly over time due to family splits, new habituations, or temporary closures, but Uganda remains one of the best destinations in the world for an authentic gorilla trekking adventure.

Whether you’re trekking in Buhoma’s gentle trails, exploring Rushaga’s lush valleys, or climbing the steep paths of Nkuringo, every encounter offers a once-in-a-lifetime connection with one of nature’s most intelligent and majestic creatures.

Book Your Gorilla Trek with Kenlink Tours

For a seamless and unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, book your safari with Kenlink Tours—a trusted Ugandan tour operator specializing in gorilla and wildlife safaris across East Africa. Kenlink Tours offers expert-guided trips, comfortable transportation, and tailored itineraries that suit all budgets and interests.

Contact Kenlink Tours Today:
📧 Email: info@kenlinktours.com
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